The Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has included the Panvel-Vasai Suburban Railway Project in the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) 3B. With this, commuters in MMR may soon get direct local train services between Virar and Panvel.
MUTP will expand Mumbai’s suburban rail network and improve regional transport.
The new corridor will allow trains to run in multiple directions. Direct suburban trains will operate between Panvel and Vasai, as well as Panvel and Borivali. Once services start on this route, an extension to Virar will also be possible. The goal is to make transport efficient across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
Panvel railway station is already a major transit hub. It is just 10 minutes from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and connects to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). Another suburban route is also under construction between Panvel and Karjat. These developments will also improve regional infrastructure.
Currently, only a few Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains run between Panvel, Diva, and Vasai. Commuters have long demanded a suburban train service on the Panvel-Vasai route. Better connectivity will support urban development.
Interestingly, plans for a Panvel-Virar suburban corridor existed before. It was initially part of MUTP 3 but was later removed. Now, officials are hopeful that this long-pending project will be completed. The Panvel-Vasai 3rd and 4th lines have been included in MUTP 3B and are under review.
The Virar-Vasai stretch is covered under MUTP 3A as part of the proposed 5th and 6th railway lines between Borivali and Virar. Authorities are now considering the implementation of the revised plan.
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